In this study, the physiological effect of the chicory extract was investigated in
a short-term animal experiment in two different dietary animal groups. Male Wistar
rats (150 - 200 g) were fed with a normal diet, and another group with a fat-rich
diet (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid and 20% sunflower oil added to the basic diet)
for 10 days.
In each group, 10 animals were treated ad libitum with chicory extract (daily 2 g/bw/kg)
parallel with the basic feedings. Histologic examinations were performed to evaluate
the tissue alterations in the liver. Serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations
changed parallel with the tissue degradation. The concentration of blood glucose was
enhanced in both chicory-treated groups. Element concentrations of the chicory extract
and liver homogenates were determined by ICP-OES. Upon treatment with chicory, the
differences between the mean concentration values of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Na, P and Zn in,
the liver homogenate of rats on the normal diet were significant.
It was well-detected that the mean concentration values of Cr, Fe, K, Na, P and S
in the liver homogenate of rats on the lipid-rich diet increased significantly. In
the chicory supplemented lipid-rich dietary group, due to metal ion accumulation,
some slight decrease could be detected in the diene conjugate content of the liver.
Only moderate elevation was determined in the concentration of the free SH groups
or
in the value of reducing power of the liver tissue of rats in this short-term experiment.
Consequently, more attention should be paid to the metal element and the oligosaccharide
content of Cichorium intybus (L.) which may decrease the beneficial effect of the
antioxidant compounds of the plant on the redox balance, and may contribute to the
impairment of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in the fatty liver.
